About

Focusing on craft cocktails, small plates and fermentation; 'hypha' is the coming together of Nicholas Friar; who’s been in the industry for over 15 years, working in some of the best bars and restaurants in the United Kingdom. Calum Adams who has developed experience in the industry all over the world from Chester to Hawaii to South Korea (www.thebespokedrinkscompany.co.uk), and Ice Rattaphaet; a restauranteur born in Thailand and owner/operator of 'Nine Elephants Thai Drink & Dine' (www.9-elephants.co.uk).

We are located on Chester’s iconic Roman walls with another entrance in the cultural hub of Rufus Court, all of which is part of the growing independent business scene on Northgate Street. As you enter, we want the venue to feel welcoming, with an interactive bar space to drink and dine at and an informal table layout with varying options, whether it is a romantic couple or a group of friends.

Now with the project in full swing, the three of us intend to bring about a new wave on the dining scene where the near 10% of the UK population can enjoy a full-fledged, plant-based food and drinks menu. A place where veganism is not a niche or subculture, but a lifestyle.

At 'hypha' we promise to bring the best local produce to our casually fresh and organically 'urban greenhouse' providing a dining spot where animal-free products aren't an afterthought or feature as a spec on a menu. Sustainability will be at the forefront of every thought process along with reducing our carbon footprint, from design and construction through to day-to-day service, logistics, menus and stock management.

The food industry is responsible for at least 20% of the greenhouse emissions produced by human activity and it is projected that it can be halved if everyone took on a vegan diet. We want to cater to those people and we need a little help to make this happen!

To reduce our waste and have as small an impact as possible, we will be using a lot of reclaimed materials on the build and moving into the food and drink that theme will be prominent; using fermentation techniques to enhance flavours and throw less away. Our produce will be carefully selected, meaning our menu will adapt to our supplier’s availability. Sourcing responsibly from the vegetables to the oil in the kitchen. We are teaming up with carbon neutral distilleries to ensure the cocktails we make come from accountable suppliers. And obviously everything will be 100% plant-based.

Our hope is to raise £20,000 to help bring the project together. We already have some of the money but we need your help to tip it over the edge and bring this innovative project to life. From finding the right site, to using the most sustainable materials, we hope this project from start to finish will honour our belief to make a conscious restaurant that delivers more than just great food, drink and service. We have a range of things on offer for everyone that pledges. Starting from your first drink on us, a whole evening taken care of or a personal bartender arriving at your door to provide an evening of drinks and entertainment! Our hope is bring together like minded people who are keen to be involved in developing this exciting new project.

Oh, and why hypha? We wanted a name that connected what the restaurant will be offering and the philosophy behind it. Hypha derives from the branching and rooting in of plantlife from the mushroom family, all of which encapsulates our use of produce, our passion for growing roots in the vegan and Chester community, and our ability to use fermentation to minimise our waste.

Risks and challenges

OPERATIONS:
- Time constraints on marketing for "Veganuary - Go vegan or go home!" As this will potentially be our opening period coinciding with the most challenging time of the yearly business cycle.
- Designing food and drinks menus seasonally based on local produce.
- Implementing temporary 'Gotta Go' menus to minimize food waste.
- Sourcing suppliers from farmers, local producers. Farm to table approach.
- 'Un-Waste' management, food donation and animal feeding?

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £25 or more
About US$ 32

Small Plates Session @ 'hypha'.

Instant thank you tweet + gram + post for your contribution on our social media outlets. Enjoy 3 small-plates (no limit on number of guests) and 3 glasses of of home-brew non-alcoholic beverage whenever you decide to pop in for a Sunday lunch service at ‘hypha’.

A small ‘hypha’ gift bag will also be presented to you on the occasion.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £50 or more
About US$ 64

Let's Get Together @ 'hypha'.

Aside from a customary thank you tweet + gram + post, enjoy 6 small-plates (no limit on number of guests) and 6 glasses of of home-brew non-alcoholic beverage whenever you decide to pop in for a Sunday lunch service at ‘hypha’.

A small ‘hypha’ gift bag will also be presented to you on the occasion.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £90 or more
About US$ 116

Room for 12? @ 'hypha'.

Aside from a customary thank you tweet + gram + post, enjoy 12 small-plates (no limit on number of guests) and 12 glasses of of homebrew non-alcoholic beverage whenever you decide to pop in for a dinner service at ‘hypha’.

A small ‘hypha’ gift bag will also be presented to you on the occasion.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £180 or more
About US$ 232

The More the Merrier @ 'hypha'.

Aside from a customary thank you tweet + gram + post for your contribution, enjoy 26 small-plates (maximum of 6 guests) and 26 glasses of homebrew non-alcoholic beverage whenever you decide to pop in for a dinner service at ‘hypha’.

A small ‘hypha’ gift bag will also be presented to you on the occasion.

Parts of the pledged money will be donated to ‘Sea Life Trust’ to help reduce plastic from our oceans.

Pledge £1,750 or more
About US$ 2,272

Exclusive Thai Evening for 25!

Take your place (25 names) on our ‘Stairway Rails’ and be treated to an exclusive private evening at ‘9 Elephants Thai Drink & Dine’ for 25 people. All guests will enjoy an extensive 3 course menu with the best of Thai food on presentation along with complimentary drinks from 'The Bespoke Drinks Company' throughout the evening.

25 tickets to our VIP opening party will also be presented to you on the occasion.

Parts of the pledged money will be donated to ‘Sea Shepherd’ to support their information campaigns and contribute to protecting marine life.

Thai Masterclass & 5-course @ 'Home'.

The experience starts with Thai cooking masterclass late afternoon leading onto dinner providing you with a unique experience at the comfort of your home on an agreed date along with 9 of your guests (distance limited to 80 miles from Chester.)

Be let into the traditional recipes and methods behind the best of Thai cuisine presented to you in the form of an exquisite 5 course dinner and celebrate the occasion with complimentary drinks from 'The Bespoke Drinks Company'.

Name a seasonal menu item.

A large ‘hypha’ gift bag including 10 tickets to our VIP opening party will also be presented to you on the occasion. There will also be a special mention for your invaluable contribution at the VIP opening party.

'VIP Backer's Plaque' for your home.

Parts of the pledged money will be donated to ‘Sea Shepherd’ to support their information campaigns and contribute to protecting marine life.